Task 3 - Research into the Genre

Christian Metz Model of Genre Development

Christian Metz in his book 'Language and Cinema' (1974) explored the development of genre in film and suggested that genres pass though four phases of existence.

These are:

1 - The Experimental - Pase of early films  which explored and experimented with horror themes in its narratives, and helped formalize narrative conventions.

2 - The Classic - Phase of films which established the conventins of the horror genre in is most successful and defining period.

3 - The Parody - Films that have mimicked the horror genre in a comical way of some sort.

4 - The Deconstruction - Films which have taken the generic elements of the horror genre and amalgamated them into various sub-genres.

The thriller genre is renown for creating suspense, tension and excitement for its audience. This genre of film has the tendancy to literally 'keep you on the edge of your seat', enforcing twists along the plotline, and sometimes leaving you with a cliffhanger at the end of a film which captivates audiences and leave them pondering about what will happen next. A common convention of a thriller would be an apparrent protagonist who has been set a task, perhaps a crime or mystery to solve, or a mission of some sort. The film follows the protagonist along their journey, and shows them attempting to solve and overcome the task given, while the the constant building of tension is apparent throughout. At parts of this type of film, a love scene may appear where the protagonist has fallen for his companion (woman working alongside him) or a woman he has met along the way of his journey. However, this woman may turn out to be a antagonist in disguise. A typical convention of this genre is for the protagonist to be a male, though this convention has been challenged in many ways, with a woman appearing as the protagonist, in the film 'Salt' for example, where Angelina Jolie plays the major character. An antagonist will always be apparrent, allowing for a number of fighting and car chase scenes. Thrillers have a number of sub-genres, such as psychological-thrillers, crime-thrillers and spy-thrillers. Within the thriller genre, near-death experiences are a common convention, and is possible expected by the audience. The audience are kept interested and alert when anticipating whether this is the end of the protagonist as we know it. Though, arguably, the protagonist almost never dies. The antagonist is required to keep the protagonist on their toes, and ensure that the protagonist will keep on coming after them. This is done by the antagonist conjouring up evil plans, and appearing to be smarter and always one step ahead of the protagonist to ensure that the antagonist is not caught withing the first part of the film. The idea of the thriller genre is to portray a sense of verisimilitude, and seriousness and is not usually supposed to have elements of comedy or horror/gore within it. The protagonist and antagonist usually have very different ideas, and are juxtaposed with one another. The antagonist usually being vindictive, immoral and evil, whereas the protagonist is moral-thinking, and aspires for the overall best outcome of the given situation. Thrillers are usually rated 12-15 and are suitable for a wide audience, as elements of blood and gore will not usually be apparent.

In contrast to the thriller genre, rom-coms are generally light-hearted films with a comedic value apparrent which follows the story of love within a particular characters life. The major character will almost always find love with a main character by the end of the film, with laughs and moments of joy along the way. With a wedding at the end of tho film perhaps. This genre of films is often referred to as 'feel good' films, as they literally leave the audience feeling happy and contented after their viewing. Rom-coms are usually suited mostly to women and a younger audience who are usually able to relate to the characters within the film. However, there is always male characters within this type of film, with the male audience is able to relate to.To ensure that the film successfully captivates its audience, there must be a reason why the major and main character cannot be together, the film must be like a journey, where certain experiences make the love bond between the two characters evermore unbreakable and stronger until the end of the film, where it is conventional for the man and woman to end up being together and living happily ever after. Unlike the thriller genre, rom-coms do not generally have a number of sub-genres, but the general story of each rom-com is different. Some rom-coms are in a non-linear style, to show the happiness of the characters at a particular point in their time together, contrasted with the heartbreak felt by one of the characters in modern times - '500 Days Of Summer". Films such as the '40 year old virgin' tend to appeal to a wider audience, particularly including men. Despite elements of love being apparrent within this film, it has stong comedic elements, and is not a very serious stroyline, but one that a wide audence can watch and relax without taking things too seriously. Rom-coms are usually rated PG-12 which appeals to a wide audience, and is suitable for family viewing.

The general purpose of the horror genre is to frighten audiences by producing a series of on-screen images with will play on the audience's mind and disturb them. Some may say that if you are thinking about the film before you go to sleep, and are freaking yourself out, then it has been a good, successful film. This genre is not suitable for everyone however, as many people are not a fan of horror films, and the terror that they can cause to people. Hence why the majority of horror films seem to be rated 15-18 to ensure that they are only viewed by adults who can consciously decide whether the film will be suitable for them before viewing it. Many people do thoroughly enjoy this film genre ,purely for the adrenaline that is sent around the body when genuine terror is felt, even though they may want to stop watching, they find themselves unable to remove their eyes from the screen. A common convention of horror films is for a powerful antagonist to be a murderer of some sort, who goes around usually brutally killing his victims, the antagonist will usually be male, due to the fact that this gender is usually there more dominant sex, who is generally stronger and possesses the ability to enforce pain upon their victims. A male antagonist is conventional and can be found in many horror films such as halloween or friday the 13th. However, this convention has been challenged in films such as 'Jennifer's Body' where the antagonist is female, and preys on young attractive males and brutally kills them. Perhaps a group of antagonists will be used, in the form of zombies (dawn of the dead) or vampires (30 days of night). The purpose of the horror genre is to make audences wonder how they would react if the found themselves in the same situation as the characters on screen, and how terrifying it would be to have to fight against powerful antagonists, or merely fight for survival. Extreme violence, blood and gore is a common convention of the horror genre, and is usually beyond realistic, which brings the audience back to realising that is it just a film. There are different types of horror films. Such as psychological-horror, which plays on the mind of the viewer by emcorporating a throught provoking storyline, as opposed to a film which lacks in story, but has a lot of gore and violence. Some horror films rely on the props such as fake blood and gore to captivate its audience despite perhaps lacking in a storyline with substance. Some horror films encorporate an element of comedy, while still maintaining frightening aspects, the type of comedy in these films however, will be 'black' comedy - the type which you find yourself laughing at, even though you shouldn't. It is argued by many that the horror genre has ultimately stemed from the 'classic' horror films such as 'Frankenstein' and 'Dracula'.

Task 2 - Reserach into Existing Products

Comparison Between Rom-Coms

• 'How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days':

Directed by Donald Petrie - Paramount pictures

• 'Just like Heaven':

Directed by Mark Waters - Dreamworks

These films are of the romantic comedy genre, also known as ‘chick flicks’ Both of the openings of these films follow the typical conventions of a romantic comedy. Before the film has started, you are able to guess the genre through the use of such things. For example, there is a sound bridge, where the music starts straight away, even before the film does. The music in both instances is a real life song, sung by a female, and is generally upbeat. Through this, you can see that the film will be a ‘feel good’ film.  In How to lose a guy in 10 days, the opening titles are constructed in a way which looks like magazine pages and articles are literally being dragged and dropped into the screen, which show that the main character is the writer of these articles, because her picture is used on the pages. The articles are all about how to do something, which fits well with the title of the film. The beginning of just like heaven also fits well with the title, the camera floats down to show the main character sitting in a garden-like place, surrounded by flowers and clouds, this place looks almost heavenly. When it is shown that she is sitting on a plastic chair, it is obvious that she is not really there, she is just day-dreaming. In both films, the opening titles are feminine, cheerful, vibrant. The colour of the fonts used are ‘feminine’ there is a lot of pink used which is typically a ‘female’ colour, this shows that these films are more suited to women than men. The titles carry on, and linger into the film, however, they are not the main focus. This is a convention that would not be used in a horror film as it would create more of an effect if the titles stopped and allowed the film to play without the distraction of text. The last name to be shown is the directors name, because this is the most important person within the realms of filmmaking.

Both films are based on best-selling novels. This is important because an audience as already been established for the film.

In both films the main women are established career women, who have created a successful life for themselves independently. In how to lose a guy in 10 days, the main woman is a journalist, where as the main woman in just like heaven is a doctor. The way both of these women are dressed gives the impression that they are important – kate hudson’s character in a suit, reece wetherspoon in a doctors uniform. This is known as ‘power dressing’ , equal but almost superior to the men in the film.

In this type of film, it is conventional to have a typically good looking guy playing a lead role, who the main woman falls in love with. In both films, the guy is opposite to the women. how to lose a guy in ten days – man is dressed in leathers, more casual than kate Hudson, portrays a rebellious image. In just like heaven, the man is the type who sits on the couch for copious amounts of time drinking beer, which is contrasting to reece wetherspoons character because she is a busy and committed doctor.

The fact that both of the women in the films are established career women is empowering for other women watching the film, they may be inspired by these roles and aspire to be like this. Particularly young girls. Both are hardworking characters, particularly reece wetherspoon, where her career is her life. The song “lust for life” – Iggy pop, which is playing during the montage of busy scenes in just like heaven shows this clearly. The comedy aspect in just like heaven is where an old man’s rear is shown in the hospital where reece works. This shows the audience that this film will be light-hearted.

One main difference between the two films is the fact that how to lose a guy in ten days is about a love story between two people who are alive, where as in just like heaven, reece’s character has passed away – the love story is between a girl who has died, and a guy who is still alive! The idea behind just like heaven, could be a direct reference to the film ‘Ghost’ which is also a love story between someone who is alive and someone who is deceased.

Task 2 - Research into Existing Products

Analysis into the opening sequence of 'Red Dragon' (2003)

Initial Titles


Mise en scene:

The colour of the majority of the writing for the opening titles is white with the first word coloured red, the connotation of this suggests that evil is coming before goodness. The colour white suggests purity and goodness, where as the colour red suggests evil, horror, blood and danger. The background colour of the title screen is black, the connotation of this is, death, sinister. The way that the opening titls have been designe is an early indicator of a horror/thriller film.
Sound:
The opening title music is high pitched, piano, violin orchestral music, which suggests it is not a children’s film. This music reinforces the fact that it is a horror/thriller film.
Editing: The main character appears to be annoyed at flute player for playing wrong thing he tilts head and squints his eyes, the connotation of this is like a dog who is ‘eyeing up’ food. This suggests that this character is a predator of some sort. 

Opening titles fade in and fade out. Main character is first name that comes up, the person who plays  Hannibal. This is the most important character.

Scene 1 - Theatre

Mise en Scene:
Dr Hannibal Lecter (main character) is upper class as he is a doctor, he knows that the flute player has gone wrong because he is musical and is sophisticated. It is clear that he is well off, wearing suits, posh clothes.
Hannibal squints eye which shows that he is being made to feel uncomfortable.
The juxtaposition of Hannibal is central in audience, which means that attention is drawn to him straight away, this is important because he is a major character.
Camera Angles:
Establishing shot of theatre - Framing – extreme long shot. Looks like a point of view shot from  above, shot from the middle of a row of seats. Close up to emphasise emotion – anger, sadistic, prey.
Conductor looks displeased by flute player playing wrong thing – close up

Scene 2 - Dinner Party


Mise en Scene:
The interior of Hannibal's house is posh, not typically American, his home is more like an English home as it shows much of the typical iconography of an English, Victorian dining room. The props are things such as posh crockery, china, and posh food. Hannibal is hosting a sophisticated occasion for upper-class people. He is pouring red wine for guests, the connotation of this could suggest blood of Christ, red wine is commonly associated with religion, which is ironic because Hannibal in his actions is extremely immoral - as he is a murderer, and a cannibal. Red wine is commonly drank around winter time. Hannibal is circling the table, in the same way that a predator would circle their prey.
Sound:
Dialogue: “cribbing lines from Horus” – The man at the dinner party is upper-class and of intelligence. 
When the woman asks Hannibal what he has made for them to eat, he replies with “if I tell you, you wont even try it” Hannibal appears to be calm, but also being serious but the woman doesn’t realise it, thinks he's joking.
Camera Angles:

Shot from table, looking up at Hannibal the connotation of this is showing he has power, dominance and is superior to the other peole around the table.
Crane shot from orchestra stage, to audience showing Hannibal central to everyone else

Scene 3 - Agent's Visit

Mise en Scene:
Dr Hannibal's relationship to the agent is like a father, as there is obvious closeness between them, he touches his shoulder which suggests a friendly bond, or perhaps kinship. They are both dressed in white shirts which shows that they are similar, and have similar taste in clothing. The agent must have felt comfortable and close enough to Hannibal to visit his home late at night.
The décor of Hannibal's house has a lot of detail, with many ornaments, antiques, religious books, and freaky sculptures present. There are Japanese figurines around the room which directly relates to hannibals past. The arrows are significant in the room, the connotation of arrows is that they are used by 'hunters'.
The page selected in the book that the agent picks up has 'sweetbreads' highlighted, which is cooked organs, probably human's. This confirms the agents suspections that Hannibal is cannibal killer.
Agent pulls out gun as he realises Hannibal is killer, but ends up stabbing Hannibal with arrows, the connotation of this is the hunter becomes hunted, which shows irony.
When monsters are hurt, they carry on – Hannibal has been stabbed, but carries on walking forward to attack agent.

Scene 4 - Title Sequence

Mise en Scene:
The title sequence informs audience that the agent has retired and Hannibal has been locked away, this is done through the use of newspaper headers within a scrap book, which has perhaps been created by a fan, or admirer of Hannibal.
The beginning of the sequence it shows a picture of Hannibal as "Local doctor" who is happy and smiling.
However, the heading then changes to "Hannibal the cannibal!" which shows that he has been found out.
The agent is shown to be in a critical condition – "Ghastly wounds".
There are disturbing images in the scrap book, such as a young boy's face which has been scratched out and ripped, which shows that it could be the author of the book as a child, who is ashamed of what they've become, and doesn't want to look as his full face, perhaps he has turned into a monster. There is an old image of a naked woman smacking child’s bum, which looks like it had been taken a long time ago could this be an image of early child abuse? Perhaps early child pornography? There is a scary-looking picture which is labelled as ‘grandma’, could suggest that there is past family relations who have also been 'evil'. The intention of these pictures is to disturb audience and make them feel uncomfortable.
In the scrap book there is a passage from the Bible -revelations 12:3, and pictures which suggests either the person who created the scrap book, or Hannibal is literally turning into a ‘red dragon’.
The initial picture shows Hannibal looking slick, wearing a  suit and drinking champagne. However, the last picture shows him wearing orange prisoner outfit, this is a massive contrast.
Titles appear round the edges of the pictures, they are noticeable but not the main focus.
Light shone on book shows time passing like day light, moves from one side of the book to the other.
“Id like to get you on my couch” – put him in a vulnerable position
“You strike me as a man who doesn’t make many mistakes” – suspecting Hannibal is killer
“Remarkable boy” - admires him and his courage
“Ill eat your heart first” – sinister
Music builds from quieter to louder as agent reads the book, music gets louder and louder – high pitched sound cannot carry on, something has to happen, climatic
Camera angles:
Over the shoulder shot of Hannibal showing a fake smileshows hes ‘got away’ with something – sadistic. The people get what they deserve – eating their friend when they mock him
Over the shoulder shot – audience doesn’t see mans face – Hannibal addresses him as ‘special agent’ and appears to portray the feeling that this encounter is an unexpected pleasure
Shot-reverse-shot from agent to book to build tension, zoom in on page.

Task 2 - Research into Existing Products

Analysis into the opening title sequence in the film 'Halloween' (1978) Directed by John Carpenter.

This film is an independent American horror film which is set in a fictional suburban town called Haddonfield in Illinos - USA on the night of Halloween.

A Psychotic murderer who had been instiutionalized since their childhood years, manages to escape and embarks on a mindless rampage, while his doctor chases him through the streets!

Halloween was produced on a budget of $320,000 and grossed $47 million at the box office in the USA, equivalent to over $150 million as of 2008. This independent film has therefore become one of the most profitable in film history.

This film has been credited by critics as the first in a long line of 'slasher' films inspired by the 1960 film 'Psycho' by Alfred Hitchcock. This film created the origins of many cliches which are frequently found in low-budget horror films of the 1980's and the 1990's. Although this film does not actually contain much gore and graphic violence.

 

Mise en scene:
Opening titles fade in with the colour yellow (then fade to orange) the connotation of this is fire - flicker of the pumpkin candle the titles then and fade out with the colour red the connotation of this is horror, blood, violence, aggression. The titles are central with a black background the connotation being death, horror, fright. From the use of these colours, you can see that the genre of this film, before actually seeing anything, is horror. During the opening titles, a pumpkin comes into the image, positioned in the left hand side of the shot. A forward zoom is used for the pumpkin, which makes it gradually bigger and more in focus.

The clown costume worn by Michael is supposed to be a costume which you would associate with happiness and light-hearted fun, but the fact that Michael is the killer, gives the audience a kind of spooky, strange feeling.

Camera Angles:
Subjective POV originates from ‘Psycho’ attack scene (Alfred Hitchcock).
Forward tracking (pov) up to the front of the house.
Forward zoom to the pumpkin in the opening titles.
Crane shot – sweeping back – reverse tracking, we see Michael - the killer, and the situation he is in.
A subjective point of view shot through Michael eyes is used up to the point of the death of his sister. This shot would have been executed through the use of a handheld camera or steadicam. When Michael's parents remove his mask, the pov camera shot is replaced by a medium long shot, showing his parents in shock. Reverse tracking is used to show Michael, his parents and the surroundings. This shot would have been created using a crane.

The director, through the use of a subjective POV shot, makes the audience feel the illusion that the killer is perhaps a rival to the girl’s boyfriend, who is perhaps possessive. This is because the height of the POV shot would suggest that the killer is an adult. When Michael is revealed to be a child, the audience is confused.

Sound:
Parallel sound is used during the opening titles through the use of incidental music. The soon-to-be famous scary Halloween theme tune is used. This music compliments what we see on screen, it is a high-pitched screechy haunting sound, which makes the audience feel uneasy. The theme tune is known as diegetic sound which means that it has been edited onto the scene, and cannot be heard within the scene.

When the opening titles end, children’s happy voices are apparent, which overlap the haunting sound and gradually drown it out, therefore changing the feeling that the audience has, by replacing it with a sense of relief as the sound of happy children is usually associated with innocence and safety.

A screeching high pitch sound is apparent when Michael is walking around the house, which makes the audience feel uneasy and frightened.

Editing:
The opening titles are editied with a fade effect, they slowly fade in and out, from the colour yellow, to orange then finally, to red.

The editing throughout the clip is seamless which means that you cannot see the cuts.